Shore power on a budget

[Kelpie]

I've never hooked up to shore power, so it remains a bit of a mystery to me. I'm thinking of getting a wee fan heater though, just in case this summer see us stuck in a marina waiting for better weather.

Is there any reason not to just buy an extension reel, cut the 13A plug off, and put a caravan type plug on? I already have a plug in RCD safety thingy.

 

[markhomer]

Go to a camping store like go outdoors , you will get whole lot in one plug reel sockets and breaker for not a lot

 

[VicS]

As markhomer suggests http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/caravanning/in-the-caravan/accessories/mains-kits

See also the Towsure website where you will see more options:

A single outlet with RCD and MCB , a triple outlet with RCD and MCB and one with a USB outlet as well

Also some cable reels with built in RCD etc

https://www.towsure.com/caravanning...al/mains-to-caravan-connector-campsite-hookup

 

[Halo]

I used a cable for years. I found “loose” cable better than a reel because it would stow better. You will soon find an electric kettle and a toaster a boon if you have room. Both save loads of gas especially if you fill a flask before leaving so you don’t have to boil the first brew underway.

 

[RichardS]

If you're using something as powerful as a fan heater through a cable reel then makes sure that you unreel all the cable even if you are very close to the shorepower point.

Richard

 

[CCJ]

Go to a camping store like go outdoors , you will get whole lot in one plug reel sockets and breaker for not a lot

Ans unreel the whole lead if running high power through it or the whole reel will be liable to melt down

ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/13Mtr-Ca...166723?hash=item3f98c7bdc3:g:SC8AAMXQlgtSzxCI

i would have another separate weatherproof extension lead, sods law states you wont be moored close enough to a power outlet

 

[Godfather68]

The real issue is how much the marinas charge overnight visitors for electricity. Is seem to recall MDL charging us £3.90 per night to hook up as a visitor and as I recall they were not the most expensive! You would be going some to churn through that much electricity at circa 12p per KWH cost with a small fan heater!

 

[JumbleDuck]

Is there any reason not to just buy an extension reel, cut the 13A plug off, and put a caravan type plug on? I already have a plug in RCD safety thingy.

That's exactly what I did, and I've been using it for 15 years now. Mine's just a standard reel, but Amazon have plenty with RCDs if you feel that way inclined.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=diy&field-keywords=extension+reel+rcd

 

[matthewriches]

You'd almost wan't to leave everything on, fan heaters, immersion, kettle boiling away just to spite them. Some are quite excessive. I think I last paid £2.50. St Kat's in London didn't even charge £3.90 a night!

The real issue is how much the marinas charge overnight visitors for electricity. Is seem to recall MDL charging us £3.90 per night to hook up as a visitor and as I recall they were not the most expensive! You would be going some to churn through that much electricity at circa 12p per KWH cost with a small fan heater!

 

[webcraft]

.
This looks like a good deal. I've always found routing the mains cable in through the washboards and round the houses in the saloon a pain on Fairwinds, easier to have one external socket to plug the extension lead in.

https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/240v...lation-kit-for-caravans-motorhomes-boats.html

- W

 

[Spyro]

You'd almost wan't to leave everything on, fan heaters, immersion, kettle boiling away just to spite them. Some are quite excessive. I think I last paid £2.50. St Kat's in London didn't even charge £3.90 a night!

I think that might trip out before you get you money's worth

 

[matthewriches]

Depends on the marina. Choose the biggest socket

I think that might trip out before you get you money's worth